Arctic and Antarctic model essay

In what ways are the Arctic and Antarctic polar regions different, and what are the major threats to these environments?

The Arctic and Antarctic regions might be considered similar, as they are both extremely cold and rich in wildlife, however close study reveals they are actually very different places.    

The polar regions differ in a number of ways.  First, the Arctic consists of ice floating on a sea, whereas the Antarctic is a ‘frozen continent surrounded by ocean’ (Fothergill, 2012, p. 5).  The Arctic ice is thin, no more than a few feet (Fothergill, 2012, p.5) and the Antarctic ice sheet is often more than one mile thick (Rabbit, 2001, p.67).  This huge difference in altitude is one of the factors in the contrasting average temperatures of each region.  As Fothergill explains (2012, p.5), the Antarctic is much colder, averaging minus 30C even in Summer, and the Arctic is kept warmer by the surrounding land mass of eight territories.  A further difference between the regions is the presence of people.  According to Rabbit (2009, p.7), the Arctic is permanently  inhabited by almost four million people.  The Antarctic, however, is too hostile for humans, and only scientists and support staff live temporarily in research stations throughout the region (Penguin, 2001, p.67).

Both the Arctic and Antarctic face a wide range of threats from pollution and the exploitation of natural resources.  As Myers (2005, p.10) explains, the Arctic is under considerable pressure for its reserves of oil and gas and while the Antarctic is protected for the present by the Environmental Protocol (1991), a massive coalfield thought to be under the Transantarctic Mountains might lead to environmental damage in the future (p. 11).  Exploitation of fish stocks occurs in both regions, and in the Antarctic this has caused the deaths of thousands of sea birds caught in the fishing lines and nets (Myers, 2005, pp 10 – 11).  According to Myers (2005, p 10), the Arctic is polluted with ‘Persistant Organic Polutants, pesticides, industrial chemicals, and waste products’. 

In conclusion, it is clear that the Arctic and Antarctic regions are both exposed to complex threats.  The differences in the geography of each region mean these problems will have very different consequences for the region.  Whatever these consequences might be, their impact will be felt by the whole planet. 

Bibliographical references

Fothergill, A. (2012) Planet Earth. BBC Books: London

Myers, N. ((2005) The New Gaia Atlas of Planet Management. Gaia Books: London

Penguin, S. (2001)  ‘100 facts about Antarctica.'  The Continent of Antarctica:  Journal of Science Reports.  Vol. 2, no. 4, p.67

Rabbit, P. (2009) ‘The Arctic Peoples.' Journal of Polar Studies. Vol. 5, no. 4, p. 7

References must be listed in alphabet order, using the writer’s surname.

This model essay is longer than 250 words, and you should aim to write no more than 250 words.  I wanted to show you a range of reference techniques, and I have also tried to demonstrate how your comments are needed. 

Your paragraphs must not be one ‘solid’ reference.  References have several functions:  they support your comments; they provide evidence and data to support your point; they can extend and develop your points.  For example, you make the point that Antarctica is colder than the Arctic, and the reference provides the reasons for this.

You must demonstrate in the exam that you can use all three types of reference:  quotation, paraphrase and summary. 

REMEMBER:  if your paraphrase is too close to the original, or identical to the original, your marks will drop considerably. 

REMEMBER:  if you over-use quotation, your marks will drop.  There needs to be more paraphrase and summary than quotation.

REMEMBER:  quotations should be sentence ‘fragments’, embedded into your sentence.  The selected quotation must fit grammatically into your sentence.  The most impressive sentence contains a paraphrase / summary from one source and a short quotation from another source.  In this way, you can show differences and similarities effectively and efficiently. 

AVOID quoting entire sentences.  Each sentence of your essay must be constructed by you.  Quotation should form a part of a sentence.

For example:

As Myers (2005, p.10) explains, the Arctic ‘is highly threatened by overfishing, illegal fishing, and industrial development’, and the consequences will have a long-term impact on the region.

In this example, the quotation is short, embedded into my sentence, and a brief comment is included to show that the reference is part of my discussion, and not something that is separate from my discussion.

The conclusion.  This is an opportunity for you to think of your own response to the discussion of the topic.  Don’t present a single sentence statement.  Try to make an observation that clearly comes out of the ideas and information in your essay.  Your conclusion also needs to reflect the aims of the essay and the question in the essay title.